Posts By Lindy Kyzer

If You Can’t Measure Your Skills, Neither Can a Potential Employer

When it comes to a job search, being able to quantify your skills is one of the biggest elements. Having viewed a lot of resumes at ClearanceJobs.com one of the biggest issues is seeing a resume and having no idea the kind of position an applicant is applying for. Being specific, direct, and making yourRead… Read more »

So, You Want to Work for the CIA?

It sounds cliche, but the reality is many defense industry and intelligence community employees serve their country not for the prestige or money (those early in the career know in particular that the money is a poor incentive – but for the sense of patriotism and duty. Getting an inside look into what life isRead… Read more »

Embarrassing or Entertaining Interview Stories

If you’ve obtained a security clearance or a TS/SCI clearance involving a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) chances are you had that scary moment when you considered who the investigators may be contacting – exes, old roommates, kindergarten teachers. From all of the individuals listed on your SF-86 to people you didn’t even consider, someRead… Read more »

Do Members of Congress Have Security Clearances?

Here’s a bit of “inside Washington” trivia to pass around the office today – do members of congress have security clearances? The topic of security clearance for elected officials has long been a complex one. Members of congress – even those in sensitive committee positions – do not receive or obtain security clearances in theRead… Read more »

Even with a “Seedy” Past, Can I Still Get a Security Clearance?

The short answer is, yes – security clearance investigations take into account something called the “whole-person” concept. So mistakes in the past – be it serious debt, or even a felony offense – will be considered in light of the person you are today, and the circumstances behind the conduct. So, if you’re a governmentRead… Read more »

Win a Free Conference Pass to Excellence in Government

We hope to see many GovLoopers at the Excellence in Government Conference taking place at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. next week! With an excellent line-up of speakers and a number of interesting topics to cover, it will be a great opportunity for those across government to gather, discuss and collaborate. In thatRead… Read more »

How to Grow Mushrooms in the Office

Before you think this article is one you perhaps shouldn’t be reading as a government professional, let me define office mushrooms for you. I’m not talking about the fungus, but rather the saying about how some companies treat their employees – keeping them in the dark and feeding them garbage. It’s a good way toRead… Read more »

Women in the Defense Industry: Still Struggling?

As a woman who has spent pretty much my entire career in the defense industry, I’ve never really felt like a part of the “gender gap” arguments about females working in a male-dominated field. National security – just like the military ranks themselves – have always been male dominated. There’s often good reason for thisRead… Read more »

Biggest Threat to National Security: March Madness

If you’ve worked IT in the Pentagon or for the military network, in general, you won’t be surprised to hear that security professionals are bracing themselves for one of the biggest national security paradigms they’ll face all year – March Madness. Bandwidth – or lack of it – has long been a concern in theRead… Read more »